Kenneth P. Wright Jr.

Kenneth P. Wright Jr., Ph.D.
Department of Integrative Physiology
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0354
phone: 303-735-6409
fax: 303-492-4009
e-mail:kenneth.wright@colorado.edu

Research Interests

  • The influence of sleep and circadian rhythms on human physiology (e.g., general physiology, neuroendocrine system, metabolic function) and behavior (e.g., sleepiness, memory, mood, cognitive, and balance) with application to public health and safety.

  • Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory.

Education

  • 1986-1990, B.S. (Psychology), University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

  • 1991-1994, M.A., (Behavioral Neuroscience/Psychology) Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH

  • 1994-1996, Ph.D. (Behavioral Neuroscience/Psychology) Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH

Professional Experience

  • 1989-1991, Research Assistant in Psychology, Sleep and Cognition Unit, Psychology Department, University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ.

  • 1990-1991, Research Assistant in Psychology, Psychoneurophysiology Laboratory, Psychology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.

  • 1995-1997, Post-doctoral Faculty Fellow, Behavioral Neuroscience/Sleep and Circadian Rhythms, Psychology Department, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH.

  • 1997-2000, Research Fellow in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Circadian, Neuroendocrine and Sleep Disorders Section, Brigham and WomenÌs Hospital, Boston, MA.

  • 2000-2001, Associate Neuroscientist, Division of Endocrinology, Circadian, Neuroendocrine and Sleep Disorders Section, Brigham and WomenÌs Hospital, Boston, MA.

  • 2000-2002, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

  • 2001-2002, Associate Neuroscientist, Division of Sleep Medicine, Brigham and WomenÌs Hospital, Boston, MA.

  • 2001-2002, Director, Fatigue Countermeasures Research Program, Division of Sleep Medicine, Brigham and WomenÌs Hospital, Boston, MA.

  • 2002-2003, Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.

  • 2003-2009, Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.

  • 2009-Present, Associate Professor, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.

Honors and Awards

  • 1996, Charles E. Shanklin Award for Research Excellence of the Bowling Green State University.

  • 1997-2000, National Research Service Award (T32) - National Institutes of Health.

  • 1998-2000, Distinction in Teaching; Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning; Harvard University.

  • 1999-2001, Fellowship in Clinical and Community Health Research The Medical Foundation and Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust.

  • 2000, Young Investigator Award, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Honorable mention.

  • 2003, Young Investigator, William C. Dement Sleep and Chronobiology Apprenticeship, Brown University.

  • 2005, J. Christian Gillin, M.D. Research Award, Sleep Research Society Foundation.

  • 2007, Distinguished Service Award, Sleep Research Society.

  • 2007, Marius Smith Award, University of Colorado Parents Association.

Recent Publications

  • Åkerstedt T, Wright KP Jr. Sleep loss and fatigue in shift work and shift work disorder. Sleep Medicine Clinics 4: 257-271, 2009.

  • Friedman NP, Corley RP, Hewitt JK, Wright KP Jr. Individual differences in childhood sleep problems predict later cognitive executive control. Sleep 32:323-33, 2009.

  • Gerstner JR, Lyons LC, Wright KP Jr, Loh DH, Rawashdeh O, Eckel-Mahan KKL, Roman GW. Cycling behavior and memory formation. Journal of Neuroscience 29: 12824-12830, 2009.

  • Nguyen J, Wright KP Jr. Influence of weeks of circadian misalignment on leptin levels. Nature and Science of Sleep 2: 9-18, 2010.

  • Schwartz JRL, Roth T, Hirshkowitz M, Wright KP Jr. Recognition and management of excessive sleepiness in the primary care setting. Primary Care Companion of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 11: 197-204, 2009.

  • Wright KP Jr, Burke T, Lee-Chiong T. A Glossary of circadian rhythm terminology for the researcher and clinician. Sleep Medicine Clinics 4: 301-304, 2009.

  • Wright KP Jr, Frey DJ. Age-related changes in sleep and circadian physiology: from brain mechanisms to sleep behavior. In A.Y. Avidan and C. Alessi: Geriatric Sleep Medicine. Informa HealthCare 1-18, 2009.

  • Wright KP Jr, Gooley JJ. Chronobiology mechanisms and circadian sleep disorders. Basics of Sleep Guide. Sleep Research Society 223-234, 2009.
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